Introducing Ann Laurel’s first Christian contemporary romance series – Valley Springs. Meet 5 couples from Valley Springs and take the journey through life’s struggles and hardships into the fullness of a life of love and happy endings.
Book One – Embracing Hope. Single mother Riley struggles with raising her baby, Zeke, by herself. Too many wrong choices lead her down a path of destruction. Young Pastor Micah set in motion help for single mothers and extends his hand to Riley. Will she accept his help before it is too late?
Valley Springs Novel Series – Embracing Hope, Embracing Life, Embracing Purpose, Embracing Love, and Embracing Courage – can be read as stand-alones or within the series.
3 of 5 Stars
Sadly, I didn’t like the book, I struggled to finish it, I would’ve given less stars but it was probably my own fault for diving in something blindly.
First of all, it’s written in 3rd person, which I’m not used to read, I think first person would’ve been a lot better to show Riley’s feelings and struggles through the story.
Second, it’s a Christian book, I know, it says it in the description, but does it need to be so preachy? I’m not religious and I’ve read Christian romances before and they only mentioned it a few times or made the first character very devoted and it was a clean romance, which is fine, but when the hero is a Pastor, you know you are in for a hell (not pun intended) of a preaching ride.
Third, I feel like it could use a 2nd round of editing, the words “as” and “for” are used so many times, I can’t even explain how frustrating it was to read them again and again, as she waited, as she laid, as she read, as she rolled her eyes, as she considered to stop reading, as she rolled her eyes again, as she continued reading despite everything.
And fourth and last, Riley is the most immature mother I’ve ever read. The second time she held her baby, she he told him she was going to be the best mama for him, and made me smile, and then she go out partying and neglects her son? No, just no. I know she was struggling, but when you can’t root for your main character and instead you want social services to find a better home for that baby, it means something is wrong with the character developing.
I feel like I’m turning the book to pieces, it’s not my intention to be mean or harsh, but as I was given the book to read and give my honest opinion, here it is. I wish I could recommend it, but unless you are a strong religious person and can look past the editing issues, this isn’t really the right book for you.
Ann Laurel writes inspirational western historical and Christian contemporary romance. All of her books are guaranteed to make you feel good when you reach the end.
Ann lives with her husband and children in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in the south. She enjoys raising Godly children, volunteering with her church, homemaking, and writing.
Ann plans to publish more western historical and Christian contemporary romances. All books are guaranteed clean and sweet.
Coming soon – her first contemporary romance series – Valley Springs. Five novels surrounding the small rural community of Valley Springs.
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